Bello says county at-home COVID-19 test kit initiative slowed by several factors

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — Monroe County Executive Adam Bello Thursday said the county ordered 1 million at-home COVID-19 test kits, but competition is making the process of getting them a little slower.

Bello said the first shipment, which included 100,000 tests, arrived this week.

He said the federal government’s new initiative of sending COVID tests through the mail, paired with shortages and supply chain issues, is making it challenging for local governments to get tests quickly.

Even so, Bello said the county is working to get what it has out quickly, and it expects more shipments in the coming weeks.

"We’re in a public health emergency right now and so these need to be made as available as possible and free for people and so we’re going to continue to purchase them, we’re going to continue to find every supplier we can,” Bello said. “I’m confident we’re going to keep getting some over the coming weeks, but as we get them it’s going to be important to get them in people’s hands."

Bello said the county is starting to get the newly-delivered tests out to child care centers, non-profits and schools.